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David Ford (born 24 February 1951) is a politician who is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Ford has been leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland since 2001 and has been Northern Ireland Minister of Justice since April 2010.
Political career
Ford stood unsuccessfully for Antrim Borough Council in 1989, and entered politics full-time when be became general secretary of the Alliance Party. In that role, he was best known as a strong supporter of the then-leader John Alderdice and an advocate of better political organisation and community politics. He was elected to Antrim Borough Council in 1993, 1997 and - after leaving the Council in 2001 to concentrate on Assembly business - again in 2005.
In 1996, Ford stood unsuccessfully for election to the Northern ...

Legislation will be introduced in the next Assembly to turn Northern Ireland Water into a self-financing mutual company, the Alliance Party has said.Party leader David Ford said NI Water's current status as a government-owned company was not sustainable.Mutual status would mean there would be no share-holders, with profits plunged back into the company for the benefit of customers.The proposal was one of a number unveiled on Wednesday by Mr David Ford.He said Alliance would introduce bills to promote shared education and housing and making it a duty of Assembly departments to co-operate on ...

Belfast - A POLICING and justice deal is essential, Alliance leader David Ford has said ahead of his party's 40th annual conference today.Mr Ford, who is favourite to become Justice Minister once the powers are transferred, called for a "swift deal" and stressed that any deal must also address the "paralysis" in the Executive."Devolving policing and justice is not just about giving extra powers to local representatives, it's also about showing negative elements that devolution can work and giving the Executive the impetus to move forward on other important matters," the South Antrim MLA ...

Alliance Party leader David Ford is likely to become Northern Ireland's Justice Minister, following a deal between Sinn Fein and the DUP. Politics Show presenter Jim Fitzpatrick profiles the man known as a straight political operator.
Mr Ford has led his cross-community party during difficult times, as the political dynamic of bringing the DUP and Sinn Fein together has proved difficult terrain for the centre ground party. He took on the leadership in 2001 after Sean Neeson, who succeeded Lord Alderdice, resigned in the face of poor election results. He managed to steady nerves and the ...

Ford saddened by Mallusk job lossesAlliance South Antrim MLA David Ford has expressed his sadness after a restructuring move by Marks and Spencer could result in 140 jobs being lost at a distribution warehouse in Mallusk over the next few years.
David Ford MLA said: "I am saddened by the decision of Marks and Spencer to close this distribution warehouse. It is dreadful news for the workers and their families. It will be a blow to the local economy and community.

Ford welcomes Irish President’s state visit to the UKAlliance Leader, David Ford MLA, has welcomed the start of the Irish President's state visit to the UK.
David Ford MLA said: "Following the success of the Queen's visit to Ireland in 2011, I am sure the first official state visit by an Irish President to the UK will be an equally momentous occasion. It will further build bridges between the people of these islands.

Alliance welcomes Mivan saleAlliance Leader David Ford and Antrim Councillor Neil Kelly have expressed relief after news emerged the assets of Mivan had been sold to the MJM Group, with the creation of 40-50 jobs.
Mivan went into administration earlier this year with the loss of around 250 jobs. MJM is a Newry based group and is expected to continue trading under the Mivan name.

Local government elections a chance to change politics says Ford."This year voters have the power to change Northern Ireland's politics - a real opportunity to show that they want politics to move on from the divisions of the past."
- so said Alliance Party Leader at the announcement of the party's candidates for Belfast local government elections which are set to take place on May 22.